HR ADMINISTRATOR III (Director of Retention and Recruitment)

Introduction

As a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an\r\naffirmative action and equal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the\r\nfull inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color,\r\nreligion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender\r\nidentity, national origin, veteran status or genetic information.\r\nAll applicants must be able to\r\ncommunicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks\r\nin a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be able to work in various\r\npositions and travel to various courtrooms and office environments throughout\r\nthe state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and\r\nreasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its\r\nservices, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application\r\nprocess or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the\r\nknown applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee be considered\r\nfor the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the\r\nposition in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment\r\nas are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities,\r\nunless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. Applicants must be able to\r\noperate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a\r\nmotor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable\r\naccommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources\r\nSupervisor, 410-767-8503 tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov\r\nThe Office of the Public\r\nDefender is currently seeking applicants for an Associate Director of Retention\r\nand Recruitment position at our Central Human Resources Division, located in\r\nBaltimore City, Maryland. The primary responsibility for this role is to\r\ndesign, implement, and evaluate comprehensive, data-driven agency-wide\r\nretention and attorney recruitment strategies. We are looking for an innovative\r\nleader who can build strategic talent pipelines, mitigate workforce attrition,\r\nand position OPD as an employer of choice to fulfill its constitutional mandate\r\nof client-centered legal defense.\r\n

GRADE

STD0020

LOCATION OF POSITION

6 St. Paul Street, Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

A Human Resources (HR) Administrator III is a managerial-level professional who works in the administration of HR programs in the State Personnel Management System (SPMS). Professional HR work is characterized by the use of knowledge, discretion, and independent judgment in the interpretation and application of HR laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines to address a variety of administrative activities, problems, issues, and projects. This specialized leadership role operates with broad autonomy under overarching agency objectives to develop and lead full-cycle talent acquisition workflows, execute data-driven retention interventions, and act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership regarding organizational climate, EEO/DEI compliance, and workforce planning.

POSITION DUTIES

●\r\nDevelop, implement,\r\nand continuously evaluate a data-driven, agency-wide employee retention\r\nstrategy across all OPD divisions.\r\n●\r\nLead full-cycle talent\r\nacquisition workflows (recruitment, screening, interviewing, and onboarding)\r\nfor attorneys, law student interns, externs, and legal fellows.\r\n●\r\nDesign and administer\r\nsystematic stay and exit interviews, focus groups, and organizational climate\r\nassessments.\r\n●\r\nBuild and maintain\r\nactive recruitment channels and strategic pipelines with law schools, bar\r\nassociations, clerkship programs, and public interest affinity groups.\r\n●\r\nMonitor, track, and\r\npresent executive reports on workforce metrics, including turnover,\r\ntime-to-fill, and DEI data.\r\n●\r\nAdminister Rule 19-218\r\nrequests for out-of-state barred attorneys.\r\n●\r\nPartner with the\r\nDirector of Training to align onboarding, mentorship, leadership development,\r\nand continuing professional education with agency retention milestones.\r\n●\r\nDevelop and coordinate\r\nagency-wide employee recognition, wellness, resilience, and morale initiatives.\r\n●\r\nAct as a strategic\r\nadvisor to the Public Defender, Deputy Public Defenders, and District Public\r\nDefenders regarding workforce engagement, structural interventions to reduce\r\nburnout, and emerging workforce trends.\r\n●\r\nRepresent OPD at\r\ncareer fairs, conferences, and networking events (occasional evening/weekend\r\nwork required).\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or\r\nuniversity.\r\n\r\n\r\nExperience: Four (4) years of professional human resources generalist\r\nor specialist experience involving recruitment and employment, employee\r\nrelations, workforce planning, policy formulation, or HR program evaluation.\r\n\r\n\r\nNotes:�\r\n1. Additional professional HR\r\nmanagement experience or paraprofessional personnel work experience may be\r\nsubstituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four (4) years of the required\r\neducation.\r\n2. Graduate credit hours (30\r\ncredits) in HR management, Business Administration, Public Administration,\r\nOrganizational Psychology, or related fields may substitute for up to two (2)\r\nyears of the required experience.�\r\n3. U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a\r\ncommissioned officer in HR management classifications may substitute on a\r\nyear-for-year basis.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications:\r\n●\r\nProven experience\r\ndesigning, implementing, and evaluating full-cycle recruitment strategies and\r\ntalent pipeline programs.\r\n●\r\nExtensive experience\r\nin employee retention, including conducting stay/exit interviews, deploying\r\norganizational climate surveys, and analyzing workforce metrics.�\r\n●\r\nDemonstrated success\r\nestablishing strategic partnerships with law schools, bar associations, or\r\nprofessional affinity groups to recruit highly qualified legal professionals.\r\n●\r\nExperience developing\r\nand overseeing corporate wellness, employee recognition, or structured\r\nprofessional mentorship programs.\r\n●\r\nFamiliarity with\r\ndiversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) best practices in talent acquisition and\r\nworkforce planning.\r\n

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this\r\nclassification are required to obtain certification in State Personnel\r\nManagement System (SPMS) policies and procedures and in the functionality of\r\nthe Statewide Personnel System (SPS) within six (6) months from the time of\r\nappointment, with recertification required every six (6) months thereafter.\r\n\r\n\r\nEmployees in this classification may be assigned\r\nduties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such\r\nduties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in\r\nthe State of Maryland.\r\n

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on\r\nyour application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.\r\nAll information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing\r\ndate. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful\r\ncandidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and\r\nplaced on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education,\r\ntraining and experience related to the requirements of the position. You may be\r\nrequired to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on\r\nyour application. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and\r\naccurate information on your application. Report all experience and education\r\nthat is related to this position.\r\n

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online Applications and Resumes Preferred.\r\nPlease fax all paper applications, resumes and questionnaires to (410) 333-2260.\r\nInquiries regarding\r\napplications and submitting paper applications can be directed to: Office of\r\nthe Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1304,\r\nBaltimore, MD 21202; or by calling Janynee Bailey-Covington, janynee.bailey-covington@maryland.gov (410) 767-8497, toll-free: 877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service\r\n800-735-2258. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy\r\nID#), and job announcement number on any\r\ndocumentation to ensure timely processing.\r\nPlease be sure to include your name, identification number\r\n(Easy ID#), and job announcement number on any\r\ndocumentation to ensure timely processing. A paper copy of the MD State\r\napplication form and questionnaire can be downloaded from the state personnel\r\nwebsite. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting,\r\nretaining, and promoting employees who are\r\nreflective of the State’s diversity. We thank our Veterans for their service to\r\nour country and encourage them to apply. People with disabilities and bilingual\r\ncandidates are encouraged to apply.\r\n